Apparatus for electroprocessing



Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL ETAL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING Filed Sept. 22, 1957 13 Sheets-Sheet l m Q f5 n G "no? WZM n5 f 5 fw 56W R 5Q WGM s 1 5 Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL EIAL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING l3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 22, 1937 w 5 w Mm HH W 55 1% 3% R no WQW Q B I I.....L

mm an mmN MN a? Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL ETAL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING Filed Sept. 22, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 N mm mm m mm n R U H w w E R I WM S m 3 Am 8% s s w w M 3m mfi m m L7 5 Z LR so 5 WNJ Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL ETAL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCES SING Filed Sept. 22, 1937 \15 Sheets-Sheet fizz e22 tors WESLEY E HALL 5y GEORGE 5. Has/1500M SMvSM 940-' w. F. HALL ETAL 2,222,839

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING Filed Sept. 22, 1937 1s Sheets-Sheet 5 y; 125 119 122 zze 116 J 1 120 11a a f7: venzor's We SLEY E HALL 101 39 3 GEO/PGE B. Hos/4500M Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL ETAL 2322,3159

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING Filed Sept. 22, 1937 '13 Sheets-Sheet 6 fn vemors WESLEY f? HALL, By GEORGE B. Hoe/1500M E ttorrz e ys Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL ET AL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING Filed Sept. 22, 1937 I): van tar:

13 Sheets-Sheet 7 Attorney:

W564i) f. Man. GEORGE B. Hamaapn &

a mww m Q. 3 Q W fl Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL ETAL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING Filed Sept. 22, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 5 m2 w 2% m wHH m r ew 5 E6 LR 3. WG W Y km 36 NN mmw Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL ETAL 2 3 APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING I Filed Sept. 22, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 I I l l I l I l I I I l I I I I l l I.

l I I I Nov. 26, 1940., w. F. HALL ETAL 2,222,839

7 APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING Filed Sept. 22, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 f)? we): tar-s WESLEY E H411.

GL-ORGE B. Hos/1150a flttar): eya

Nov. 26, 1940.

w. HALL EIAL" APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROCESSING 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Sept. 22, 1937 7 a 1 9 4 65w a w 7 if: 4 Z 5 7 2 2 2239 22 W 12 2 2 H2 a .2 2 9 0 9 02 5 2 2 m. W Z 5 2 Z 11 Z "M d %2W 2 2 Z IZ [22 Mentors WESLEY F. HALL 3y GEORGE 5. HOG/4500M fitter): 25/:

Nov. 26, 1940. w. F. HALL ETAL APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROGESSING' Filed Sept. 22, 1937 13 Sheet s-Sheet 13 M N a M film r w; w n t J B A Y. v n M M v. 5 QN NW MYN Patented Nov. 26, 1940 APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPROGESSING l Wesley F. Hall, Matawan, N. J., and George B.

Hogaboom,- New Britain, Conn, assignors to Hanson-Van Winkle-Munning 00., Matawan, N. J.,-a corporation of New Jersey Application September 22, 1937, Serial No. 165,158

8 Claims.

This invention relates to electroprocessing machines and methods, and in particular, to such machines and methods wherein the workpiece is caused to travel while being subjected to the electroprocessing action.

One object of this invention is to provide amethod of electroprocessing articles or workpieces, wherein the article or workpiece is caused to travel through an electroprocessing solution, and likewise caused to move transversely during such travel.

Another object is to provide a method of electroprocessing articles or workpieces, wherein the article or workpiece is caused to travel through the electroprocessing solution and simultaneously piece longitudinally through a tank, and having means for moving the workpiece transversely to the direction of longitudinal motion.

Another object is to provide an electroprocessing apparatus having means for moving a workpiece in an orbital path, and subjecting the workpiece to motion transverse to this orbital path.

Another object is to provide an electroprocessing apparatus having means for moving a workpiece in a longitudinal path while causing it to execute transverse oscillations.

Another object is to provide an electroprocessing apparatus having means for moving a workpiece in an orbital or longitudinal path, together with means for moving the workpiece transversely so as to cause the workpiece to pursue an.

5 undulating path through the solution.

Another object is to provide an electroprocessing apparatus, wherein power-driven means is provided to cause the workpiece to pursue an orbital or longitudinal path through the electroprocessing solution, and independent powerdriven means for causing the workpiece to execute transverse oscillations while pursuing thisorbital path.

Another object is to provide an electroprocessing apparatus, wherein power-driven means is provided for causing the workpiece to executetransverse movements or oscillations, other mechanism being provided and responsive to this sidewise motion to cause the workpiece to move in a longitudinal path or an orbital path. 5

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an end portion of an electroprocessing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the 10 electroprocessing machine shown in Figure l, with parts of the tanks and conveying mocha-- nism broken away to disclose the construction more clearly.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of 15 the opposite end of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a cross section through the machine shown in Figures 1 to 3, taken alongthe line t% in Figure 2. 0

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross section of the oscillating mechanism of the machine, taken along the line 55 in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a'vertical section through the axis of the conveyor chain driving shaft, taken along 25 the line B6 in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a vertical section through the shaft of the conveyor chain idler sprocket, taken along the line l--l in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical section along oscillating the workpieces and having ratchet machine taken in the direction of the lines i l-l4 of Figure 15.'

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side elevation seen in the direction of the lines lill in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a vertical cross section through still another modified machine, taken in the direction of the line l6--l6 in Figure 17.

Figure 17 is a side elevation, partly in section, taken along the line ll-l I in Figure 18.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the loop oscillating path pursued by a work-piece in the machine shown in Figures 16 and 17.

General construction In general, the electroprocesslng method of this invention consists in moving the workpiece or article in one general direction while subjecting the workpiece to motions transverse to that general direction. Optionally, the workpiece may be moved in an undulating path (Figure 10) or in a looped path. The apparatus of the invention generally consists of an elongated tank through which the workpiece is caused to move, as by an endless conveyor chain. At the same time the conveyor chain and work carriers are caused to move'bodily in a transverse direction while the work carriers are moving in a longitudinal direction along the tank. The conveyor chain is moved either by a separate motor from the motor employed to oscillate the mechanism, or else a ratchet mechanism is optionally employed for moving the chain in response to the transverse oscillations.

The mechanism of this invention is partic ularly applicable to the so-called semi-automatic electroprocessing machine. Such machines ordinarily have a single electroprocessing tank and conveyor mechanism to carry the workpieces through the solution in the tank and back to a starting point. The tank may be arranged in an orbital path and an endless chain used to convey the workpieces through the orbitally arranged tank.

Hitherto, semi-automatic machines have been used to provide a continuously moving cycle-of workpiece treatment, thereby saving the operator from the necessity of walking around the apparatus to remove the workpiece. The semi-automatic apparatus also tends to give the workpieces a more uniform treatment as to current density, temperature and time, and tends to bring fresh solution into contact with the workpieces. In such machines as now known, however, the maximum rate of movement possible through the tank is not sumciently rapid toincrease the permissible rate of metal deposit much beyond that for a still tank. The reason for this lies in the fact that the plating process requires at least ten to thirty minutes so that even in a long conveyor the workpieces move but a few feet per minute, each workpiece moving into a position vacated by the preceding piece, and hence, into a portion of the solution which has already been used.

Furthermore, in the normal arrangement of a workpiece in an electroplating solution, the cyanide or acid dissolves the anode and releases metal ions to the cathode, thereby making the solution adjacent the anode high in metal content and low in cyanide or acid. Adjacent the cathode, however, the solution is high in cyanide or acid content and low in metal ion concentration. The difference in density thus set up causes a circulation of solution resembling convection currents. The result is that the cathode or workpiece is caused to receive metal more heavily at the bottom than at the top.

If the cathode consists of a number of work- -all points.

aaaasso pieces one above the other, the lower pieces will receive a much heavier deposit than the upper pieces. workpieces which project toward the anode will receive heavier deposits on the pro- Jecting portions than on more centrally located portions because more current flows to the outer edges of the workpiece than to the center. One purpose of the present invention is to break up this unequal concentration of the solution by causing the solution to flow at a fairly rapid rate from the anode to the cathode, and thereby eliminate the natural convection. By moving the workpieces transversely this mass flow of solution 'across' the tank is caused to take place in such a manner that the portion of the solution surrounding the anodes is mixed with that surrounding the cathodes; and a uniform solution concentration of composition tends to exist at Preferably the amount of movement of the cathodes or workpieces across the tank is limited so as not to cause an excessive current density by a close approach of the cathode to the anode. The rate of oscillation is also made slow. enough to actually move the solution rather than merely'to churn it at the cathode surface.

In the present invention several workpieces are preferably moved in a body so that the adjacent or outside edges of the workpieces are partially shielded by the adjacent workpieces.- When workpieces are moved individually this shielding action is absent, and the workpieces tend to plate more heavily upon their outside edges because they are not shielded by the adjacent workpieces or racks. If revolving racks are used only a portionof the workpieces on the racks are spaced properly with regard to the anodes, which necessarily are arranged in straight lines in a conveyor type machine. The remainder of the workpieces on a revolving rack are too far from the anodes to receive a rapid deposit, and the average rate of deposit is accordingly low.

Machine with crank-oscillated conveying mechanism Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 10, inclusive show one embodiment of the electroprocessing machine of this invention, as well as one apparatus by which the method of this invention can be carried out. This machine (Figures 1 and 4) consists of a tank It preferably arranged in an orbital path (Figure 10), having outer walls II and inner walls l2, together with a bottom l3 Joining these two walls. Adjacent the outer and inner walls are enclosures II and i5, respectively containing steam heating coils l6 and I1 supplied with steam from pipes l8, l9 and 20, and controlled by the steam valve 2|. These heating pipes are not necessary in all processes and may be arranged at the bottom'of the tank as well as at the sides. The bottoms l3 of the tanks in are supported upon cross members 22, preferably of channel or I-beam construction.

The top, outer and inner edges, of the tank I0 are provided with overhanging portions 23 and 24, respectively, these serving to provide support for .the rods 25 and 26, from which the anode racks 21 are suspended. The anode racks 21 in thepresent embodiment are shown as constructed for silver plating, particularly with reference to the plating of silver spoons, and the like. In silver plating the anode racks 21 are loaded with silver rods placed on the inclined pegs 28. In

plating workpieces-withother metals, however,

In the present machine two rows of workpieces are shown as being plated on a single machine, and suspended from a single work-holding arm. In this instance additional anode racks 21 are suspended from rods 29 mounted on the anode supports 30, which rise from the bottom I3 of the tank. Where a single row of workpieces is to be plated, the additional anode supports 30 and additional or middle rods 29 are omitted, together with their anode racks 21.

Mounted on and extending between the tops 3| of the inner'enclosures I5 are cross members 32 (Figures 4 and 5) which serve to support grooved guide rails 33. Arranged to reciprocate in these guide rails are rollers 34 mounted upon axles 35, supported in brackets 36 secured to the bed plates 31. Mounted on the bed plates 31 are upwardly extending angle members 38 and secured thereto by the bolts 39. Supported upon the horizontal portions 40 of the anglemembers 38 are supporting blocks M for supporting the chain rails 42. The supporting blocks M are secured to the angle members 38 by means of the screws 43. Also secured to the bed plates 31, as by the bolts 44, is a bearing block (Figures 5 and 8) adapted to rotationally support a shaft 46 having on each end thereof a head 41 secured thereto by the screws 48. Each head 41 is provided with a threaded socket 49 for receiving the threaded end of a pivot stud 50 passing through a bore 5I in one end of a pitman 52. The pitman 52 at its other end is provided with a similar bore 53, through which passes the pivot pin 54 similarly secured in the frame member 55 attached to the cross member 32 (Figure 5) Lubrication of the shaft 45 in its bearing block 45 is facilitated by the provision of the rightangled lubricant conduit 56 for use with knowngrease or other lubricant pressure distributing systems.

The upright portions 51 of the angle members 38 carry horizontally extending angle beams 58, attached thereto by means of the bolts 59, and at an intermediate point are attached the roller rails 60, as by the cap screws 6| (Figure 5). Secured to the angle beams 58, as by the bolts 62, are the oppositely extending angle brackets 63, to which are attached the cathode'rails 64 and 65, as by the bolts 98. The upper cathode rail 65 is engaged by rollers 61, insulatedly mounted upon the pivot pins 58, secured by the set screws 69 in the bores 10 in the upper end of a roughly c-shaped hanger H. The rollers 61 are mounted in pairs upon the upper hangers H (Figures 1 and 2).

Secured to each hanger H is a work carrier arm 12, insulated therefrom by the insulating layers 13 and 14 (Figure 5). 12 (Figure 4) are provided with cross members 16 insulated therefrom, as at 1641, and secured to their lower edges by the members 11. From the cross members 16 are suspended the work-holding racks 18, which have carrier members 19, upon which are placed the workpieces 80. Bolted as at BI to the inner side of the hanger H is an insulating member 82 upon which are mounted the contact brushes 83 and 84. The brush 83 is connected by the conductor cable 86 to-the inner work-holding rack 13, whereas the brush 84 is connected by the conductor cable 85 to the conductor bar 05a mounted upon but insulated from the workcarrier arm 12 and, in turn, connected by the cable 85b to the outer work-holding rack 18. The brushes 83 and 84 engage the cathode rails 64 and 65, respectively, these being con- The carrier arms nected to the negative terminals of the electroplating current generator by bus bars (not shown) The C-shaped hangers 1I continue downwardly and inwardly, and at their lower ends 81 are connected to downwardly extending pins 88 forming portions of an endless conveyor chain 96. The latter on its pins 88 carries rollers 89 engaging the roller rails 60, and also upper and lower chain links 90 and 9|, the chain blocks 92 and rollers 93 running between the parallel rails 42. The chain blocks 92 are provided with horizontal axles 94 carrying rollers 95 adapted to rest and run upon the top edges of the rails 42 (Figure 5).

The endless conveyor chain 96 pursues an orbital path and at its opposite ends passes around sprockets 91 and 98, respectively (Figures 6 and '1). The sprocket 98 is an idler sprocket, mounted loosely upon the vertical shaft 99 with anti-friction bearings I00. The shaft 99 is provided with a retaining collar IM and thrust bearing I02, and is secured within the sprocket mounting I03 by means of the set screw I04. The sprocket mounting I03 at its upper end terminates in a. squared head I05 (Figure 9), resting upon the members .I06, which in turn, rest upon and are secured to the angle beams 58 by the bolts I01. The blocks I08 and retaining bars I09 are bolted by the cap screws IIO to the member I08 to provide proper retaining of the head I 05 and permit reciprocation thereof. .In order to take up slack in the conveyor chain 96, cap screws III are arranged to pass through supporting ears H2, projecting upwardly from the member I06 and engage one edge of the squared head I05. The member I06 is provided with an elongated aperture II3 to permit motion of the sprocket mounting I03 to and fro under the influence of the cap screws I II The driving sprocket 91 is secured by the set screw II4 to the sprocket shaft II 5, which is vrotatably mounted in anti-friction bearings II6 located in the shaft mounting II1, the upper end of which is ,provided with a flange II8 secured,

as by the cap screws II9, to the member I20, which in turn, is secured by the bolts I2I to the angle beams 58. Secured to the upper end of the shaft, as by the key I22, operating in the keyway I23, is a ,bevel gear I24, the key I22 being held in place by a set screw I25 (Figure 6). Meshing with the bevel gear I24 is a bevel pinion I26 mounted-upon the output shaft I21 of a variable speed transmission I28. The input shaft I29 is coupled, asat I30, to the shaft I3I of an electric motor I 32. As a consequence, when the electric motor I32 is operated, the bevel pinion I26 rotates the bevel sprocket shaft I I5 and sprocket 91, causing the conveyor chain '95 to pursue an orbital path around the idler sprocket 98. The shaft 46 carries a sprocket I33 with a sprocket chain I34, driven by a sprocket I35 upon the output shaft I38 of the variable speed transmission I31, driven by the electric motor I38 and adjusted for varying speeds by the hand wheel I39.

Operation gear I24,

the workpiece racks 18 and the workpieces 80 to be moved in a longitudinal path through the solution in the tank I0. At the same time electricity is supplied to the anode racks 21 and cathode rails 64 and 65, whereupon the brushes 63 and 84 (Figure 5) conduct the negative electricity through the cables 85 and 86 to the workpiece racks 18 and workpieces 60.

Meanwhile, the motor I38 has been started and the speed of the variable speed transmission I31 adjusted to a suitable degree by the hand wheel I38, whereupon the sprocket I35 drives the sprocket I33 and shaft 46 through the sprocket chain I34. The rotation of the shaft 46 causes The resultant motion given to the workpieces by this arrangement is shown in Figure 10, and consists of undulating paths I40, indicated by 80 the wavy dotted lines of Figure 10. As the workpieces 80 are thus moved in an undulating path through the solution, the solution is caused to travel between the anodes and cathodes so as to become approximately uniform in composition 55 and at the same time the hydrogen bubbles are washed away from the surfaces of the workpieces 80. Thus, although the workpieces travel a considerable distance because of their undulating path, nevertheless the distance traveled in a 40 straight line may be comparatively small and the time of travel correspondingly great. By this arrangement, therefore, and by thus moving the workpieces, a small tank may be given the effect of a greatly elongated tank, and uniformity of 5 plating operation correspondingly increased.

Modified conveyor chain driving mechanism The machine shown in Figure 11 is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 10 50 except in the manner of driving the conveyor chain. In Figure 11 the chain driving motor I32, gear box I28 and other associated mechanism are omitted and replaced by a special ratchet mechanism which operates to rotate the sprocket shaft H5 in response to the transverse oscillation of the machine. To this end "cross members I are secured by the cap screws I42 to uprights (not shown) rising from the tank edge members 23. A rectangular framework I43, '0 consisting of side members I44,'is bolted to end members I45, which in turn, are bolted to the inner ends of the cross members I 4I The side members I44 are provided with slots I 44* containing pivot pins I46, carrying-pawls I41 and 85 mounted on the radius arms I46 loosely engaging the sprocket shaft II5. Springs I48 urge the pawls I41 into engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel I50 mounted upon and keyed to the sprocket shaft I I5. In the operation of the machine shown in Figure 11 the work carrier arms 12 and their associated superstructure are set in transverse oscillation by the rotation of, the motor I36 driving the rotatable heads 41, having the pitmans 52 connected thereto and anchored at their op- As the posite ends to the frame. The frame I43 remains in a fixed position while the ratchet wheel I50 and shaft II5 move bodily in a transverse direction. When this occurs the radius arms I48 move at angles to one another, and while 5 one pawl I41 is pushing the tooth of the ratchet wheel I50, which it engages, the other pawl I41 is slipping over its adjacent tooth. In this manner the ratchet wheel I50 is rotated step-by-step as the machine oscillates to and fro transversely, 10 thereby giving a step-by-step rotation to the sprocket shaft H5 and sprocket 81, causing the conveyor chain 86 to move step-by-step through an orbital path.

Suspended link machine The modified form of machine shown in Figures 12 and 13 is in general similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 10. The conveyor chain 36 is moved in the usual way by a motor and sprockg0 ets, and pursues an orbital path with its rollers 83 engaging its guide tracks 42, and its 'upper rollers 68 engaging the channel guide member I5. The work carrier arm I52 is secured to but insulated at I52a from the conveyor chain 66, and carries a brush I53 engaging the cathode rail I54, mounted on the angle beam I55 and separated therefrom by the insulating layer I55. The bed member I51, upon which the blocks 4I rest, is provided with pivot pins I58 engaging links I58, the upper ends of which are pivotally mounted upon pins I60 securedto frame cross members I6I, mounted upon angle brackets I62 on frame uprights I63.

The bed member I51 is provided with vertical 85 ridges I51a, which are slidably engaged by rollers I64 rotatably mounted upon the lower ends of levers I65, which in turn, are pivoted at I66 upon brackets I61, depending from the cross members I6I. The upper end of each lever I65 is provided 0 with a pivot pin I68 engaged by a connecting rod I69, the opposite end of which engages the pivot stud I 10 mounted in the rotatable head III. The latter is secured, as by the set screw I12, to the output shaft I13 of the reduction gear box I14. Two of these gear boxes I14 and two sets of levers I65 are provided, the input shafts I15 being coupled, as at I16, to the output shaft I11 of a driving motor I18.

In the operation of the machine shown in Figures 12 and 13 the conveyor chain 66 is caused to move in an orbital path, in the manner previously described in connection with Figures 1 to 10, causing the work carrier arms I52 likewise to move in .an orbital path and moving the workpieces 80 through the solution. At the same time the motor I18 rotates the heads I1I, causing the levers I to move to and fro under the influence of the pitmans I69, thereby causing the bed member I51 to oscillate transversely as it so swings from the parallel links.I58. This causes the work carrier arms I52 to oscillate transversely as they move in an orbital path.

Modified suspended link machine The machine shown in Figures 14 and 15 is similar in principle to the various types of machines previously described. This machine consists of a tank I having uprights I8I, interconnected by cross members I82 resting upon angle brackets 10 I83. The cross members I82 carry pivot supports I64 with pivot pins I85 from which depend the parallel links I66. The lower ends of the parallel links I86 are connected to pivot pins I81 mounted in the swinging cross supports I88, t0 I5 which are secured the angle beams I89. Depending from the angle beams I89 are angle membei I90. The angle members I90 support blocks I9I.

on which are mounted guide tracks I92 for the guide rollers I93 and I94 of the conveyor chain I95. The supplemental guide track I98 is s8- cured to the angle members I90 and provides additional guidance for the rollers I94. The conveyor chain I95 carries conical pins I91 at the top thereof, these pins being arranged for the removable reception of the work carriers I98, the latter being provided with holes l99 therethrough for this purpose.

The work carriers I98 are in two pieces, bolted together and insulated at I98a from each other..

The lower piece carries a brush 200 engaging the cathode rail 20I, which is bolted to the angle member I90 by the bolts 202, yet insulated therefrom by the insulating members 203. The lower ends of the work carriers I98 are provided with apertures 204 for receiving the hooked ends or the work-holding racks 205. The latter extend downwardly into the solution in the tank I80, and move through the tank as the conveyor chain I95 is moved in an orbital path. The tank I80 is provided with anode rod brackets 206, carrying anode rods 201, from which are suspended the anodes 208 or anode rods on racks, depending upon which are used. The anode rods 208 may be of nickel, copper, chromium, zinc, silver, etc., depending upon the particular metal to be deposited. The anode racks, similar to the racks 21 of Figure 1, may also be employed.

Rising from the center of the bottom of the tank I80 are anode supports 209, supporting a horizontal longitudinal rod 2I0 from which additional anode rods or racks 2 are suspended. These are similar to the side anode rods or racks 208. The movable part of the machine suspended from the swinging cross supports I88 is oscillated to and fro .by means of pitmans 2I2 connected at their inner ends to pivot pins 2I3, mounted upon certain of the parallel links I86, connected at their outer ends to pivot pins 2I4 mounted upon the rotatable heads 2I5, which in turn, are secured to the output shafts 2I6 of the reduction gear boxes 2I1 by set screws 2I8. The input shafts 2I9-of the reduction gear boxes 2I1 are coupled, as at 220, to the motor shaft 22I of an electric motor 222. In this connection it will be obvious that by varying the throw of the crank arm 2I2 (Figure 14) the extent of the transverse movement across the tank can be regulated as desired.

In the operation of the machine shown in Figures 15 and 16 the conveyor chain I95 is caused to move in an orbital path by any of the mechanisms described in connection with the previous figures. An independent motor may be used to accomplish this orbital motion, or a ratchet mechanism as described above. When the motor 222 is started the swinging cross supports I88 move to and fro transversely across the tank while the work carrying racks 205 move longi tudinally in an orbital path through the tank I80. In this manner the workpieces are given an undulating travel similar to that shown by the dotted lines I40 in Figure 10.

Modified machine employing rotatable eccentric shaft for transverse oscillation The modified machine shown in Figures 16 and 17 is similar in principle to that shown in Figures 14 and 15, and the tank, anode and conveyor chain assemblies, together with the work-holding racks, are identical. Similar numerals are there fore employed for these parts as were employed in Figures 14 and 15. The angle members I90, however, are secured at their upper ends to angle brackets 223, bolted as at 224 to hubs 225. The hubs 225 are mounted upon the eccentric portion 226 of a rotatable shaft 221, and separated therefrom by the anti-friction bearings 228. An antifriction thrust bearing 229 and a. collar 230, upon the lower end of the shaft 221, serve to retain and support the working parts. The upper end 23I of the eccentric shaft 221 is rotatably supported in a bearing mountng 232 containing anti-friction bearings 233 and 234, arranged therein.

worms 2, and worm shafts 242 are duplicated at opposite ends of the machine. The worm shafts 242 are coupled, as at 243, to the motor shaft 244 of the oscillating motor 245.

In the operation of the machine shown in Figures 16 and 1'7, the conveyor chain I95 is caused to move in an orbital path, as before, carrying with it the work carriers I98 and causing them to convey the work carrying racks 205 in an orbital path through the solution in the tank I80. The rotation of the motor 245, however, and the consequent rotation of the eccentric shaft 221, causes the hubs 225 to be given a circular oscillating motion. The combined effect of these two motions gives to the workpieces a looped undulating path of 'travel, shown in Figure 18 by the dotted lines 246. This combination of a transverse looped path with a longitudinal undulating path produces, as before, a mixing of the different portions of the solution and also results in washing off the hydrogen bubbles from the workpieces. With the machine and method of the present invention an evenness of plating results, in contrast with certain machines of the prior art, which move the workpiece to and fro longitudinally in the same direction that it is being conveyed. It has been found that uneven plating occurs in such machines; the forward edge of the workpiece being more heavily plated than the rearward portions thereof.

It will be understood that we desire to comprehend within our invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an electroprocessing machine, a tank for retaining an electroprocessing solution, a long narrow frame supported above said tank, a conveyor support, a work piece conveyor chain on said conveyor support, means for moving said conveyor chain in an orbital path, parallel links for suspending said conveyor support from said frame, and means for swinging said parallel links to and fro whereby to oscillate said conveyor'supretaining an electroprocessing solution, a long narrow frame supported above said tank, a conveyor support, a work piece conveyor chain on said conveyor support, means for moving said conveyor chain in an orbital path, parallel links for suspending said conveyor support from said frame, and means comprising a motor-driven crank and pitman mechanism for swinging said parallel links to and fro whereby to oscillate said conveyor support and work piece conveyor chain transversely relatively to said tank.

3. In an electroprocessing machine, a tank for retaining an electroprocessing solution, a long narrow frame supported above'said tank, a conveyor support, an endless conveyor on said conveyor support, means for moving said endless conveyor in an orbital path, parallel links for suspending said conveyor support from said frame, and means comprising a motor-driven crank, pitman and lever mechanism for swinging said parallel links to and fro whereby to oscillate said conveyor support transversely relatively to said tank.

4. In an electroprocessing machine, a tank for retaining an electroprocessing solution, a frame supported above said tank, a conveyor support, an endless conveyor on said conveyor support, means for moving said endless conveyor in an orbital path, means for suspending said conveyor support from said frame, and means comprising a motor driven crank, pitman and lever mechanism for swinging said suspending means to and fro whereby to oscillate said conveyor support transversely relatively to said tank.

5. In an electroprocessing machine, a tank-for holding an electroprocessing solution, a frame supported above said tank, a conveyor comprising an endless member arranged to move in an orbital path over said tank, means for suspending said conveyor from said frame above said tank, and meansfor oscillating said conveyor suspension means while moving said endless conveyor in its orbital path.

6. In an electroprocessing machine, a tank for holding an electroprocessing solution, a frame supported above said tank, a conveyor support, means for suspending said conveyor support from said frame, means for moving said conveyor support transversely relatively to said tank, an endless conveyor chain on said conveyor support, means for moving said conveyor chain in an orbital path relatively to said tank simultaneously with said transverse movement.

'7; In an electroprocessing machine, a tank for an electroprocessing solution, a frame supported above said tank, a conveyor support, means for suspending said conveyor support from said frame, a conveyor on said conveyor support, means for moving said conveyor in an orbital path, and means including amotor operating a crank and pitman for oscillating said conveyor support transversely relatively to said tank.

8. In an electroprocessing machine, a tank for an electroprocessing solution, a frame supported above 'said tank, a conveyor support, means for suspending said conveyor support from said frame above said tank, a conveyor on said conveyor support, means for moving said conveyor in an orbital path, and means including a motor operating a crank and pitman for oscillating said conveyor support transversely relatively to said tank, said oscillating motor being independent of said conveyor-moving means.

WESLEY F. HALL. GEORGE B. HOGABOOM. 

